"Fragments Aftermath (Roll Call)

Posted on Sun Jan 5th, 2025 @ 7:56am by Lieutenant Tate Sullivan Ph.D.

Mission: Season 6: Episode 5: A church beyond heaven
Location: Dr. Tate Sullivan's Office, Counseling Department, USS Elysium
Timeline: After the events of the "Fragments"
541 words - 1.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Tate Sullivan sat at her comm terminal trying to will herself to write the notes required following her meeting with Christopher Correli. Not in the mood to write a clinical note, she found herself opening a private personal log instead.

Today was a difficult day, one that reminded me of just how fragile the bonds of trust can be—and how devastating it is when they are shattered. I had a session with Christopher, a young marine who was viciously assaulted by several of his own colleagues. The details of the attack are still under investigation, but what is clear is that this was no random act of violence. It was premeditated, deliberate, and carried out by people he was supposed to be able to trust with his life.

I’ve counseled people affected by violence before, but it’s been a long time since I’ve worked with someone who had been so brutalized by those within their own circle. As I expected, Christopher was a whirlwind of emotions during our session. Anger, fear, and sadness all surfaced, sometimes in rapid succession, sometimes all at once. He’s still reeling from the physical and emotional trauma, and as we talked, I noticed moments where he seemed to relive the assault. Flashbacks. Not uncommon, especially so soon after such an event, but still heartbreaking to witness.

What surprised me most, though, was the way Christopher, at times, seemed to justify what had been done to him. He admitted that his struggles with depression had affected his performance, and he wondered aloud if perhaps his attackers had acted out of frustration or a misguided sense of discipline. Hearing him try to rationalize their cruelty was painful. It’s a testament to how deep the psychological wounds run—not just from the attack itself, but likely from a longer pattern of bullying. I suspect this wasn’t the first time Christopher had been targeted, and I worry that the seeds of shame and self-blame have taken root.

I tried to gently reinforce the truth: what happened to him was not acceptable under any circumstances. No amount of personal struggle justifies violence, especially not in a crew that should be united by mutual respect and a shared mission. I hope, with time, Christopher will come to believe that too.

Still, I can’t help but feel a gnawing unease knowing that the people who did this are still aboard the ship. Under normal circumstances, they would face swift justice, dropped off at the nearest base to answer for their actions. But out here, in the depths of space, we don’t have the luxury of immediate resolutions. It’s maddening to know they’re still walking these halls, their identities unknown, their presence a constant reminder of Christopher’s ordeal.

My priority now is helping Christopher find some measure of security again. Without trust, he—and we as a crew—cannot hope to move forward. I don’t know how we’ll get there, but I’m determined to try. He deserves to feel safe, to feel valued, and to know that what happened to him was a failure of others, not of himself.



***

Lieutenant Tate Sullivan, Ph.D.
Assistant Chief Counselor
USS Elysium